Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, November 5) – More than 160 Filipinos in Lebanon are still waiting to be repatriated amid the increasing tension between Israel and Islamist group Hezbollah.
Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Eduardo de Vega told CNN Philippines on Sunday that the repatriation of Filipinos in Lebanon is slower than bringing Filipinos home from Israel.
He said about 10,000 of the 17,000 Filipinos in Lebanon are undocumented workers, and there will be consequences if they flee.
“If they (undocumented worker) leave, one, it will be difficult. It will take a longer time to process their exits. And number two, they certainly won’t be allowed to return to Lebanon. That’s the problem, they don’t want to lose their jobs,” he explained.
The second batch, consisting of six Filipinos, returned to the Philippines Last Nov. 3.
De Vega assures repatriated Filipinos that government agencies are working together to provide assistance for them.
Lebanon is under Alert Level 3 to implement voluntary repatriation.
